GUWAHATI: The Chief Airport Officer (CAO) of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, has emerged as one of the distinguished figures in India’s Aerospace and Defence sector.
Recognised by a prominent monthly aviation magazine, Utpal Baruah’s accolade is featured prominently in the magazine’s January 2024 issue.
With a career spanning back to 1993, Baruah has traversed through various aviation organisations, including notable stints with the Airports Authority of India and the GMR Group.
His noteworthy career trajectory includes the unique distinction of transitioning from a government job to a private entity during the pivotal period of transforming New Delhi airport in 2007-2008.
Baruah’s association with GMR Group during the development of Terminal 3 at IGI Airport, New Delhi, and his role as the inaugural Chief Operating Officer of Kannur International Airport, Kerala, showcased his multifaceted contributions to the aviation landscape.
Internationally recognised, Baruah has been invited to speak at global forums in Singapore (2017) and London (2019).
His involvement with the Indo-US cooperation programme for sustainable aviation led to his participation in the Indian team’s visit to Washington, the United States, in 2022.
An avid trainer acknowledged by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Baruah’s story resonates with his journey from being a humble student in Assamese medium schools to achieving professional excellence on national and international platforms.
His commitment to perseverance, sincerity, and dedication has proven that individual merit transcends challenges related to education medium and financial background.
Deeply rooted in Assamese literature and culture, Baruah has authored two books in the Assamese language. Presently, under his leadership, LGBI Airport, Guwahati, is undergoing a significant transformation.
Meanwhile, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is set to witness the inauguration of the new integrated terminal building in 2024.
In 2023, the airport witnessed a remarkable surge in passenger traffic, handling approximately 5.6 million passengers, as disclosed by the Guwahati Airport Authority.
Baruah, expressed satisfaction over the noteworthy achievement, stressing that there was an increase of 10 lakh in passenger number.
He also highlighted that the growth rate as one of the highest in the country, reaching 17%.
